A ticket mix-up between Cardiff Bus and Sightseeing Cardiff has been cleared up after both companies confirmed it was simply a case of good intentions and not a case of tickets being valid on each other’s services.
The confusion began when a Cardiff Bus driver stepped in to help a Sightseeing Cardiff service that had run out of ticket roll 25 miles from base. Following a last-minute ticket machine swap, the sightseeing operator was left unable to issue tickets until the Cardiff Bus driver provided a roll so they could keep the service running.
While the gesture was welcomed by both companies, Cardiff Bus later issued a statement on Facebook to avoid confusing passengers, confirming that any tickets issued by Sightseeing Cardiff, even on Cardiff Bus paper rolls are not valid for travel on Cardiff Bus services.
A Cardiff Bus spokesperson said:
“We’ve been made aware that Sightseeing Cardiff are issuing their tickets using our ticket rolls. Please note this service is not ours, and these tickets are NOT valid on our services. We have asked Sightseeing Cardiff to stop.”
Sightseeing Cardiff quickly responded with an apology, praising both drivers for their teamwork and clarifying the situation.
“Ever had one of those days when ‘things’ happen? This was one of those days for us! We apologise unreservedly to Cardiff Bus for this event, but at the same time we praise our driver and the Cardiff Bus driver for acting with the best of intentions to keep the bus in service.
It’s just good human nature to help others out – just like we have sometimes carried stranded passengers back to Cardiff from the Bay without charge after road closures and police incidents have disrupted all bus schedules.”
As a goodwill gesture, Sightseeing Cardiff is now offering free travel to anyone holding a valid Cardiff Bus day, weekly, or monthly ticket until the close of Sunday 17 August.
The sightseeing company also thanked Adventure Travel for further assistance later in the day, and reiterated that Cardiff Bus tickets and Sightseeing Cardiff tickets remain valid only for their respective services.
